CBD good to work, live and play

The CBD has been rated high on the live, work and play index, according to new PwC research.

The CBD score 10 out of 10 for play, 9.1 for work and 6.7 for live – all much higher than the wider Melbourne average.

The city averages are: 5.2 for live, 3.8 for work and 4.6 for play.

This new CityPulse study provides future direction by measuring Melbourne and its suburbs in terms of “work, live and play”.

The study recognised that the CBD’s role as Melbourne’s job centre had spread to the surrounding areas of Docklands, St Kilda Rd, Southbank and Parkville.

The CBD is the second best place to work, outshadowed by Docklands, which received 10 out of 10 for work.

The best area for play is no doubt the CBD, having received the top mark in this category for the variey of entertainment offering.

“The successful growth of the CBD has spread to surrounding areas. The regeneration of Docklands was also a major new chapter in Melbourne’s overall development, which will continue to the north of that precinct,” the report said.

The report goes on to argue that – despite the success of the CBD and surrounds – land availability, urban sprawl, congestion and low-density factors make a one-centre future questionable.

CityPulse calls for “a polycentric city” with hubs in Monash, LaTrobe, East Werribee and Maribrynong.